Tulsa Sophomore Dane Evans Has ‘Solidified Himself’ at QB

If Tulsa wants to win more than three games this season, it’s going to need sophomore Dane Evans to be a completely different quarterback than he was in 2013.

Evans, who started five games as a freshman in the Golden Hurricane’s final season as a member of Conference USA, completed 43.1 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and 10 interceptions—but has been working hard this summer to improve in every facet of the game and continues to be No. 1 on the depth chart.

“He’s working every day,” coach Bill Blankenship said, according to Tulsa World. “He’s listening, he’s being coachable, and he has really improved his fundamentals, which is very important in the heat of the battle.

“I’ve been very pleased with his poise and his ability to put a little touch on the ball, which is something he hadn’t done in the past. …Dane has really solidified himself.”

It was a tough year for Tulsa all around; the Golden Hurricane finished 3-9 (2-6 C-USA), played three different quarterbacks, and ranked 104^th and 102^nd nationally in points scored and allowed, respectively.

Evans was thrown into the fire early, seeing action in the season opener against Bowling Green and then making seven more appearances throughout the season. He struggled to complete passes and turned the ball over often, leading Tulsa to just one win and a lot of uncertainty heading into the offseason.

Now a member of the American Athletic Conference, Tulsa must rely on Evans to shake off a lackluster freshman debut and showcase the passing abilities that impressed Blankenship enough to offer him a scholarship back in June of 2011—just a few months before the former three-star prospect went on to throw for 3,265 yards, 36 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during his senior season at Sanger High School (TX).

Tulsa was picked to finish last in The American by the media, and our staff has it projected to place anywhere from No. 9-11.

The Golden Hurricane open at home against former C-USA rival (and now AAC counterpart) Tulane on Thursday, August 28.